Who are we?
Music Managers Forum Aotearoa is the collective voice for music managers and self-managed artists, both signed and independent. The MMF Aotearoa is an independent, non-profit trade association dedicated to helping grow artist/manager businesses through education, networking and advocacy.
The MMF Aotearoa work towards a fair, honest and more transparent music industry which operates with the highest of integrity in the interests of the artists our members represent. We aim to represent the wide diversity of voices and backgrounds of music managers and their artists.
Why Belong?
Being part of the MMF Aotearoa connects you with our community of music managers and self-managed artists. We offer our members expert mentoring, upskilling seminars, online resources, and opportunities to pitch to festival bookers at our flagship Festival Bookers Speed Networking event. The MMF is also a major partner of the NZ Music Month Summit, and seeks to bring recognition to the achievement of music managers in Aotearoa. Read more about our mahi below. Our membership runs on an annual subscription model, allowing members access to all our exclusive benefit for $100/yr.
Community
As a member of the MMF Aotearoa you join a community with some of New Zealand’s leading music managers and self managed artists who work with artists like Sir Dave Dobbyn, Tom Scott, Shapeshifter, Tami Neilson, Sol3 Mio, Church & AP, Louis Baker, Tomorrow People and many more. The MMF Aotearoa is also part of two global organisations - the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF) and the European Music Managers Association (EMMA).
“It is no coincidence that over the last 10 years, since the creation of the Music Managers Forum, the stock of good managers has increased. MMF are organised, provide excellent professional development opportunities for their members whether fresh or experienced, are well run and efficiently organised, have excellent relationships with all parts of the business”
Ant Healey (Head of New Zealand Operations, APRA AMCOS)
MENTORS
Our mentoring program is one of our exclusive unmatched premiere services for our members. It gives our members, both managers and self-managed artists whether signed to a label or independent, the invaluable opportunity to have confidential one on one sessions with a wide range of our Music Industry’s top expert specialists covering areas which include touring, bookings, contracts, marketing, publicity, company structure and general artist management.
“I just wanted to let you know that without MMF, the band I manage would not have had the opportunities and achieved what it has in the last year. The mentoring sessions have provided numerous contacts and opportunities and opened doors for these young musicians that we could never have dreamed about 12 months ago. Because MMF a bunch of 15-year-old kids from Gisborne have recorded at Roundhead with an international producer, released a single that went to No# #7 on the Official NZ Music Charts Hot 20 NZ Singles and is playing on both the Rock FM and Radio Hauraki. It was also picked by NZ On Air as one of their New Tracks this month and made Spotify’s Local Noise playlist. I can pretty much guarantee none of that would have happened without MMF!
So thank you.”
Carl Newman Manager, Sit Down In Front
SEMINARS
The MMF Aotearoa hold regular group seminars and panel discussions around the country and online, with leading music industry specialists and visiting international guests. All seminars are designed to help develop managers and self-managers knowledge of the music industry, to upskill and enable networking opportunities.
“(The seminar) was a major privilege, an eyeopener, and massively informing and insightful. If this event wasn’t arranged, then I wouldn’t have gotten to know what is actually very important and relevant for me as a singer songwriter and producer soon enough to avoid losing out on leverage and potential steep problems. Because I’m still very much in the beginning phase of my music journey, I wouldn’t have known all the relevant key things that I’m now made aware of…they’re seeds planted of potential and awareness that there are key elements within leveraging music that I’m able look further into – now, rather than when it’s too late.”
Lionel Brian Singer
SPEED NETWORKING
An unmatched networking opportunity for MMF members, the Festival Bookers Speed Networking sessions give our music managers and self-managing artists the exclusive chance to pitch their act to Festival Bookers. Many of our members have successfully secured gigs through these evenings, with previously attending festivals including Rhythm and Vines, Laneway, WOMAD, SoundSplash, and Electric Avenue.
“It’s really amazing work the MMF are doing. It’s really brought the industry together. Having spent my life around the industry it’s been so disjointed and split by genres and styles now I feel MMF has created a platform and community amongst all bands and genres and managers.”
Gavin Downie Event Organiser, Music in Parks
”The Festival Bookers Speed Networking night was the best ever. The team at MMF did a fantastic job They were well organised and it ran like clockwork. I found the booking representatives well informed and organised I thought it was a great night to promote our music and we will all appreciate them taking time out to listen to the pitches. I found them open and easy to talk to you. Skype connection worked really well for me living so far away.”Merv Pinny
THE OFFICIAL MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT
Held every year in the last week of May Music Month, in conjunction with the NZ Music Commission, the Summit is an intensive day of themed panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Guest speakers include industry leaders and community members from all areas of music in Aotearoa, with previous themes including Amplifying Aotearoa, Community and Collaboration, and Level Up: Taking Music To The Next Level.
"Awesome opportunity to meet the people in the industry and learn from experts. Great event, looking forward to next year!"
THE MUSIC MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Previously presented at the Music Manager Awards, and then as a part of the prestigious Aotearoa Music Awards Artisan Awards, the Music Manager of the Year Award has held space to recognise the dedication and achievement of music managers in Aotearoa for years. The MMF is currently looking at new ways to bring this acknowledgement of hard work behind artists’ success into the current industry landscape.